What is 'hopecore' and how can it make life better for LGBTQ+ people?

What is ‘hopecore?’

Hopecore started gaining traction on TikTok and Instagram last year and is all about videos featuring “radical optimism, emotional reassurance, and the celebration of small, tender moments,” Dempsey tells PRIDE.

At a time when we are more politically divided than ever before, and loneliness is on the rise, it makes sense that people would turn to online communities to help them deal with the stressors of life and find a way to turn away from some of the negativity that festers on social media. “It exists largely as a counterbalance to the burnout, and doomscrolling culture that dominate many online spaces,” he says. “Hopecore content typically includes gentle affirmations, inspirational quotes, comforting music, and messages that encourage resilience, self-kindness, and belief in a better future.”

This has become a trend on social media — why now?

Dempsey says that hopecore has found an audience because social media “has become saturated with bad news cycles, political tension, economic instability, and widespread burnout,” and people are looking for an alternative that can offer some optimism, a grounding influence, and a gentle reminder that there is good in this world.

Whether you are doomscrolling on social media, staying tuned into the 24-hour news cycle, or falling victim to an algorithm that is feeding you negativity, hopecore offers an alternative at a time when rising political and economic instability can make life feel bleak.

“Its timing isn’t coincidental—it's an emotional response to collective fatigue and the desire for something softer and more hopeful amid ongoing uncertainty,” Dempsey says. “At its core, hopecore fills a psychological need: it gives people permission to feel optimistic, even in small ways, at a moment when hope can feel scarce.”

What does hopecore look like for LGBTQ+ audiences? How is it different from their straight counterparts?

Mainstream hopecore tends to focus on optimism and emotional reassurance, but for queer people, there is usually an added layer of identity affirmation and a validation of shared lived experiences that are often “shaped by marginalization, chosen family, and the journey toward self-acceptance,” Dempsey explains.

“It’s not just about hope in the abstract—it’s about hope in the context of living authentically, safely, and joyfully,” he says.

The LGBTQ+ version of hopecore usually includes affirming messages about identity, moments of queer joy and gender euphoria, validation of common struggles like discrimination and family rejection, highlights chosen family, and features reminders that queer joy and hope are radical acts.

“Straight hopecore often leans heavily on universal themes—self-love, small pleasures, gentle affirmations—without needing to address systemic or identity-specific challenges,” Dempsey says. “LGBTQ+ hopecore, by contrast, frequently incorporates the realities of queer life: the fight for acceptance, the importance of representation, and the emotional significance of seeing people like you thriving.”

Is there anything to be wary of in this trend?

Hope can be a powerful tool and an instrument of change, but there are also reasons to be cautious when consuming hopecore content.

It can oversimplify mental health and lead people to believe that watching hopecore content is a substitute for real treatment. Just like any other social media content you consume, hopecore content can lead you into a repetitive echo chamber that feeds you shallow encouragement devoid of meaning or real hope. You also have to be wary of hopecore content that is really just a ploy to get you to buy something. And it can also even unintentionally “exclude people whose cultural expressions of joy, resilience, or optimism look different,” Dempsey says.

“Hopecore can be comforting and even meaningful, but like any digital wellness trend, it works best when paired with authenticity, nuance, and awareness of its limitations,” he explains.

How can LGBTQ+ folks find hopecore online?

If you are tired of doomscrolling and want to dive headfirst into more hopeful content, start by searching for hopecore hashtags and their queer variations on sites like TikTok and Instagram. Once you’ve found some uplifting, identity-affirming content, start watching it, and your algorithm will feed you more.

“Following creators who focus on personal stories, affirmations, or community-centered content can also help people find authentic, meaningful hopecore that resonates with their experiences,” Dempsey recommends. “By engaging with these communities, LGBTQ+ folks can access a mix of inspiration, connection, and gentle reassurance in their feeds.”